MT SP SW1500 - Anybody done a 4 light install?

[jagged ben]

So since this thread started drifting so much toward the end, I thought I'd start a new one...

I'd like to  make all the lights work in my SP SW1500s, at least eventually.   Don't really want to buy plug-in decoders that aren't capable of that, so it looks like the Zimo MX621 is the way to go. 

Questions about the model:

Has anybody done this and have pics to share?
Or have you at least thought about how to light up the rear lights?
I haven't even taken a close look inside the cab yet.

paging @tehachapifan even though I know his were kitbashed, not the MT version.  Or @C855B , did you ever make progress?

Question about Zimo:

For those of you familiar with Zimo (okay @peteski, hit me) are there any pitfalls I should be aware of when running on a Digitrax system, particularly in universal consists with decoders from other manufacturers?

Also, does anybody in the US sell these besides Streamlined Backshop?

 

[C855B]

No joy for me... the SW1500s are reposing in a display case whilst I wring my hands about glacial layout progress.

Also, I think the Briggs C415 kits are going to jump ahead in the queue. It may be helpful for us in the long run, I plan to light those, too.

[peteski]

Jagged,
I have not done that install.

ZIMO are great decoders.  Excellent motor control, and I don't think you'll have any problems with it not playing well with other decoders in a universal consist (the command station manages the consist, and broadcasts the commands to all the individual decoders in the consist).  If anything, the speed matching (before consisting) would be the only possible problem I can think of.  You run multiple SW1500s?

I seem to recall that there are other ZIMO dealers besides SBS in USA, but I get mine from SBS.

ESU also has small decoders with 4 function outputs.  LokPilot Nano Standard is one of them (the smallest).
http://www.esu.eu/en/products/lokpilot/lokpilot-nano-standard/

ESU and ZIMO decoders are very close in performance and features.

[jagged ben]

Thanks guys.
And thanks for the tip to check out ESU, since I have other ESU (sound) decoders now, that might be a preferred route for me.

Why would Zimo be more difficult with respect to speed matching?

[James Costello]

You run multiple SW1500s?

Espee often operated their SW1500s in pairs 

https://www.railpictures.net/photo/620877/
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/313474/

[peteski]

Thanks guys.
And thanks for the tip to check out ESU, since I have other ESU (sound) decoders now, that might be a preferred route for me.

Why would Zimo be more difficult with respect to speed matching?

That is not what I meant to say.  Anytime you play with different brand decoders in a consist, speed matching could be more difficult that when dealing with identical decoders. Nothing wrong with ZIMO.

[tehachapifan]

…..paging @tehachapifan even though I know his were kitbashed, not the MT version....

Sorry for the slow reply....was out-of-town.

Yes, on one of my SW1500 bashes I did indeed light the headlights and gyralights on both ends and also illuminated the numberboards. I used the Zimo MX621 and, while I can't recall exactly which outputs I used for what at the moment, and ran the front and rear headlight off one output, in which case both are always on with FO (due to lack of additional available outputs), ran the numberboards off another output programmed to F3, ran the front gyralight off it's own output with gyralight effect programmed to F1, and ran the rear gyralight off I believe the the FOR output with gyralight effect programmed....





Hope that makes sense. So far, this is the only SW1500 bash I did with the front and rear gyralights operating as the rest only have the front one operating (with the exception of the one with the cab-mount beacon).

[jagged ben]

Thanks Russ.